Speak Out October 2017 LOW RES

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24 Speak Out October 2017
NDIS
Concerns about
the Early
Childhood Early
Intervention
(ECEI) approach
The inquiry is being conducted by the Joint Standing Committee
on the NDIS.
We are very pleased to report that SPA representatives were
subsequently invited to appear before the Parliamentary
Committee, with Gail Mulcair and Cathy Olsson giving evidence at
a public hearing in Melbourne on 19 September.
SPA holds a number of concerns about the ECEI approach as
it is currently being implemented through the NDIS. While our
members report that the ECEI approach has improved access to
therapy and supports for many children, there is general confusion
and lack of transparency about what the ECEI approach is and
what families and providers can expect from it.
Our key points and recommendations in our submission included:
• The need to streamline and fast track the registration
processes for qualified speech pathologists to register as
NDIS providers.
• That the NDIA recognise the variability of supports required
for children with differing communication needs. The NDIA
needs to seek advice from SPA and other stakeholders to
develop processes to determine access, reference packages
and recommended clinical pathways for children under the
Early Childhood Early Intervention approach.
• That the NDIA put in place processes to expedite planning
and review time frames for children under the age of 6 years
– in recognition that delays in process are likely to have a
disproportionate impact on longer term outcomes for young
children. A delay of 6 months is a “big deal” in the life of a
3-year-old.
• That clarification is urgently required regarding the roles,
responsibilities and service delivery parameters of state/
territory departments of health and the NDIS is supporting
children with health and disability needs.
Policy & advocacy
• That the NDIA convene a rural NDIS forum (including
Speech Pathology Australia, other peak allied health
professional bodies and the National Rural Health Alliance)
to advise on issues relating to the support of NDIS ECEI
services in rural and remote parts of Australia. Urgent
issues to be addressed include sustainable solutions
to the funding of travel, access to allied health with
specialised skills, and telepractice arrangements.
Systemic changes to the ECEI planning process include:
• minimum standards relating to the qualifications, skills,
experience and knowledge of planners to be mandated
(and monitored);
• induction and continuing professional development training
of planners on the roles of the allied health professions
providing services to young children within NDIS;
• review processes for plans to allow for mid-cycle reviews
so that plans can be amended in light of changes
in functional needs or in response to key transition
experiences in a child’s life.
As always, we are extremely grateful to those members who
contributed their time and expertise to inform and strengthen
the submission.
Sandy Fowler
Policy Officer
AS PART OF OUR ONGOING ADVOCACY EFFORTS SPA PREPARED A SUBMISSION, IN CONSULTATION
WITH MEMBERS, TO AN IMPORTANT INQUIRY THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CHANGE THE FUTURE OF
ECEI SERVICES.
The Honourable Jenny Macklin MP, SPA National Advisor Disability Cathy
Olsson, SPA Chief Executive Officer Gail Mulcair and The Honourable Kevin
Andrews MP after discussions at the NDIS ECEI Inquiry.